Quick Start Guide
Chapter 6: Safe Work Authorizations

Program: Safe Work Authorizations
NEW: 07/10
URL: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH06.html
Revision Record: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/Pub3000Changes.html

Who needs to know about these requirements?

The requirements of Safe Work Authorizations apply to:

• All workers and guests at Berkeley Lab

Why?

Work Authorization is a review and management-approval process designed to ensure that procedures, controls, and resources are in place before the work begins. All work at LBNL proceeds under authorization.

What you need to do before performing work:

1. Define work/protocols.


2. Analyze hazards.


• Every employee and guest[1] is required by LBNL policy to complete a Job Hazards Analysis (JHA) and to complete the training required for that employee's work assignment on initial hire and whenever the employee is assigned to a new position or to tasks with new hazards. See Appendix A (Line Management Authorizations) for examples of work involving hazards and requiring classroom training.


• For work that is unpredictable, short term, or unusual and not included in the Individual Baseline JHA, a Task-Based JHA is prepared.


3. Develop controls.


• All work authorizations must be renewed annually, or more frequently if the work changes significantly.


• Some specialized classroom instruction for special hazards, and hence the authorizations enabled by that instruction, requires periodic reauthorization. The reauthorization dates are maintained in the EH&S Training Web site.


• Certain work activities pose hazards that require additional analysis and controls. See Section 6.3 (Formal Authorizations for Increased Hazards). See Appendix B (Formal Authorizations) for a list of “trigger levels” and corresponding authorizations.


• Temporary Work Authorizations may be issued for work that is of elevated hazard and is of limited scope and short duration. See Section 6.3.5 (Temporary Work Authorizations).


• Facility-based authorizations provide safety “operating envelopes” based on activities taking place within that facility. See Section 6.4 (Facility-Based Authorizations). See Appendix C (Facility-Based Authorizations)for a list of “trigger levels” and corresponding authorizations.

Where to find out more:

• LBNL Health and Safety Manual (PUB-3000) Chapter 6 (Safe Work Authorizations)


• Chapter 4 (Industrial Hygiene)


• Chapter 5 (Occupational Safety)


• Chapter 7 (Pressure Safety and Cryogenics)


• Chapter 8 (Electrical Safety)


• Chapter 12 (Fire Prevention and Protection)


• Chapter 13 (Gases)


• Chapter 16 (Lasers)


• Chapter 18 (Lockout/Tagout and Verification)


• Chapter 20 (Waste Management)


• Chapter 21 (Radiation Safety)


• Chapter 22 (Research with Human and Animal Subjects)


• Chapter 24 (EH&S Training)


• Chapter 32 (Job Hazards Analysis)

Whom to contact for help:

• EH&S Training Web site